Load blocking device for freight cars and the like



Dec. 29, 1931. w, BARRETT 1,838,472

LOAD BLOCKING DEVICE FOR FREIGHT CARS AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 12, 1929 [N VENTOR A TTOR/VE Y5 Patented Dec. 29, 19 31 UNITED STATES,

RAY w. BARRETT, or KALAM'AZOO, MICHIGAN LOAD BLOCKING .DEVICE FOR FREIGHT CARS AND THE LIKE Application filed-September 12, 1929. Seria1 No. 392,04=1. 7

There is a large amount of loss to railroad companies and shippers owing to the damage resulting from the shiftingof the load in the cars, and this in spite ofthe :factthat 1t is common practice to block the load by build ing in supporting frames and structures. This is. very frequently ineffective for the purpose, is very expensive, lumber and timber being used but once, and frequently re sults .in serious injury to thecar owing to the timbers being spiked or nailed to parts thereof.

It is the main object of this invention to provide a blocking apparatus by means of which loads may be effectively positioned and blocked in a freight car which enables the rapid loading and unloading, securely retains the load in position without in ury thereto and may be repeatedly used.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appeanfrom the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims. V

A structure embodying the features of myinvention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates my improved blocking device in operative relation to the ob ects to be blocked, in this case a pair of skids loaded with paper.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view partially in section on line 22 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 isa fragmentary View in section on line 3'3 of Fig. 2.

skids 2. The paper is bound in the bales by angled corner members g arranged over the ,corner and thestrips 4 arranged around these corner members. The skids 2 are of such precautions and the customary ported on the skids tothe point of use,

as a printing machine. 7 It will be understood, of course,,that these loaded skids are of very considerable weight and the ordinary handling of freight cars'gg frequently shifts their position, damaging the load and greatly increasing the expense of unloading, and this: in spite of the usual 7 attempts to securely block the loaded skids.

Ifemploy a pair of load engaging abutments each comprising uprights 5, having a vertically spaced series ofholes 6 therein adapted to receive the threaded lugs? on the ends of the thrust bars 8.. These studsare selectively engaged with the holes 6 thereby permitting independent adj ustmentof the thrust bars'so as to properly engage the corner members 3 of the load.

, The bars 8 are preferably formed of angle; 5 iron and disposed with their angles facing upwardly, the vertical legs 9 having a series of holes 10 therein'adapted to receive thesecuring screws 11 of the blocks'l2. The blocks are positioned on the legs 9 opposite the up-; right corner members 3. lThe thrust barsare adjusted so as to. engage these members in properly spaced relation.

I provide extensible struts consisting of tubular end sections 13, which may be pieces of pipe,- and the turn buckle unit comprising screws 14 having shouldered heads 15 engageable'in adjacent ends of the sections, l3'and the buckle 16 coa'cting with the screws. The

In the accompanying drawings p screws areright and left hand screws so. the

sent stacks or bales of paper mounted upon struts are extendedjor retracted. The tubu lar end sections13 are telescoped over the blocks 12as shown.

.By" this means a freight car may be loaded from each end and the loads securely blocked so that they cannot shift into the open space left opposite thedoors; The blocking may be very'quickly effected; the loads at each end where several skids are employed ,may'be forced into secure engagement so that thereis no chucking or movement of the loaded skids at either end of the car.

I have illustrated my improvement particularly as I have embodied the same for blocking skids of paper, but it will be understood that it is now quite desirable to handle other heavy freight upon skids.

Loads blocked upon my apparatus may be quickly released. The skids may be made of lighter material as the strain thereon in blocking is minimized and the apparatus may be used without injury to the car. It is the intent that the structures shall be repeatedly used, that is, returned to the shipper, although they are comparatively inexpensive.

I have not attempted to illustrate and describe other embodiments and adaptations as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody and adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a blocking apparatus, the combination of a pair of abutments, each comprising uprights having a series of vertically spaced holes therein, angle iron thrust bars disposed horizontally with their angles facing upwardly and provided with studs at their ends selectively engageable with the holes in said uprights, the vertical legs of said thrust bars being provided with a plurality of holes, blocks provided with attaching means selectively engageable with said holes, adjustable struts comprising tubular end sections engageable with said blocks, and turn buckles provided with shouldered couplings engageable with the adjacent ends of said end sections.

2. In a blocking apparatus, the combination of a pair of abutments, each comprising uprights having a series of vertically spaced holes therein, angle iron thrust bars disposed horizontally with their angles facing up wardly and provided with studs at their ends selectively engageable with the holes in said uprights, the vertical legs of said thrust bars being provided with a plurality of holes, blocks provided with attaching means selectively engageable with said holes, and adjustable struts engageable with said blocks.

3. In a blocking apparatus, the combination of a load supporting abutment comprising uprights having a series of vertically spaced holes therein, angle iron cross bars provided with threaded studs at their ends selectively engageable with said holes in said uprights, said bars being arranged with their angles facing upwardly, the vertical legs of the bars being provided with a series of holes, blocks provided with attaching means selectively engageable with said holes, and extensible struts engageable with said blocks.

4:. In a blocking apparatus, the combination of a pair of abutments, each comprising uprights having a series of vertically spaced holes therein, thrust bars disposed horizontally and provided with studs at their ends selectively engageable with the holes in said uprights, and adjustable struts extending between said abutments.

5. In a blocking apparatus, the combination of a pair of abutments comprising uprights and horizontally disposed thrust bars mounted on said uprights for independent vertical adjustment, said thrust bars having blocks adj ustably mounted thereon, and struts engagcable with the blocks of opposite abutments and provided with turn buckles whereby they may be extended.

6. In a blocking apparatus, the combination of a pair of abutments comprising uprights and horizontally disposed thrust bars mounted 'on said uprights for independent vertical adjustment, said thrust bars having blocks adjustably mounted thereon, and struts engageable with the blocks of opposite abutments.

7. In a blocking apparatus, the combinaion of a pair of load engaging abutments comprising vertically adjustable load engaging thrust members provided with longitudi nally adjustable blocks, and struts having end portions engageable with said blocks and provided with adjusting screws whereby they may be extended or retracted.

8. In a blocking apparatus, the combination of a pair of abutments comprising uprights and horizontally disposed thrust bars mounted on said uprights for independent vertical adjustment, said thrust bars being provided with blocks adj ustably mounted thereon, and extensible struts extending between said abutments and engageable with said blocks.

9. In a blocking apparatus, the combination of a'pair of abutments comprising uprights and horizontally disposed thrust bars adjustably mounted on said uprights, and extensible struts extending between said abutments.

10. In a blocking apparatus, the combination of load engaging abutments, each provided with a plurality of projecting blocks, struts comprising tubular end sections engageable with said blocks, and turn buckles provided with shouldered couplings engageable with the adjacent ends of said end sections. 1

11. In a blocking apparatus, the combination of a pair of abutments comprising vertically adjustable load engaging members having horizontally adjustable blocks, and struts engageable with said load engaging members and said blocks and provided with adjusting screws whereby they may be extended.

12. In a blocking apparatus, the combination of a pair of abutments comprising load engaging members having horizontally ad- 1',sss,472

justable blocks, and struts engageable with said load engaging members and said blocks and provided with adjusting screws whereby they may be extended.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a pair of spaced load supporting skids, baled loads thereon, the bales comprising corner uprights, abutments comprising thrust bars in supporting engagement with said uprights, said thrust bars be ing mounted for vertical adjustment,' ,and struts disposed between opposed thrust bars and provided with adjusting screws.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 7 hand. I

RAY W. BARRETT. 

